New to 5th Wheel Towing

[sobuck1]

not with 2 wd

[JeremiahM]

Originally Posted by sobuck1

Just got my F 250 last month, took our 28.5 RSTS to Smokey Mts.

2017 Ford F250 XLT 6.2 gasser with 430 gears. 4X2 did great.

Payload is 3652

That's good payload for a 250... With that aside, are more of y'all concerned with legal issues being overloaded, or just safety?

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[suzhou]

For me it's safety. I found myself over load cap in my previous truck and it was scary. Would feel OK at times but easiy get to where the front end would drift no matter what I did to balance the hitch. Not a good feeling when you can tell the front wheels are not gripping the road right when moving along with a 50' rig at 60mph. Won't go there again. Plan to stay within specs.

[JeremiahM]

Just checking, as I totally understand an uncomfortable ride. However, it just baffles me to See people talking about stopping the rigs and safety for others on the road when refering to the difference in payload between most 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks. I know for the Ford's, the only mechanical difference between the two is blocks, overload spring and badge, axles springs and brakes are the same

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[Larry Mac]

If there is an accident and attorneys are involved, it could be as simple as the numbers on the inside of the door. If the numbers have been exceeded, case over.


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[JeremiahM]

You could argue numbers too, as in only 1 of 3 different numbers is exceeded, not tire rating and RAWR. Now I'm no lawyer, so as to the legality I can see the argument, however I'm just not seeing the safety part. Again, just an observation.

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[Magnolia Tom]

As previously stated, the only differences in an F250 and F350 SRW are the badges, rear spacer block and extra spring, and the "published" GVWR. You can get an f250 with the camper package to get the extra leaf spring. Ford purposely derates the F250 for registration purposes. Look at a parts catalog for any component such as brakes, shocks, axle, etc. and they'll be the same between the two. I would have absolutely no hesitation pulling a 35' fifth wheel with an F250. I'm of course not a member of the weight police, nor have I ever heard of anything other than a wives tale of being pulled over or ticketed for being "overweight".
I live in Texas, and I see ranchers, cowboys, farmers all using F250s pulling big trailers all the time.


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[namusmc65]

I pull a 36 foot 5th wheel with a 2015 Ram 2500 with the 6.7 cummins. That truck is a Hoss and no problems at all. I have had 2 Rams with regular beds at 6'4" and a slider hitch in both trucks. I will in three years of towing this 5th wheeler I have never had to use the slider. I guess I bought it for safety margin, if I need it it is there. Same with the 4 wheel drive, if I need it, it is there. That feature I have used! It would only take one wrecker bill to pull out a truck and 5th wheeler to just about pay for the 4 wheel drive option.

[Larry Mac]

Originally Posted by namusmc65

I pull a 36 foot 5th wheel with a 2015 Ram 2500 with the 6.7 cummins. That truck is a Hoss and no problems at all. I have had 2 Rams with regular beds at 6'4" and a slider hitch in both trucks. I will in three years of towing this 5th wheeler I have never had to use the slider. I guess I bought it for safety margin, if I need it it is there. Same with the 4 wheel drive, if I need it, it is there. That feature I have used! It would only take one wrecker bill to pull out a truck and 5th wheeler to just about pay for the 4 wheel drive option.

Do you have an automatic slider or manual?


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[repacs0103]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

As previously stated, the only differences in an F250 and F350 SRW are the badges, rear spacer block and extra spring, and the "published" GVWR. You can get an f250 with the camper package to get the extra leaf spring. Ford purposely derates the F250 for registration purposes. Look at a parts catalog for any component such as brakes, shocks, axle, etc. and they'll be the same between the two. I would have absolutely no hesitation pulling a 35' fifth wheel with an F250. I'm of course not a member of the weight police, nor have I ever heard of anything other than a wives tale of being pulled over or ticketed for being "overweight".
I live in Texas, and I see ranchers, cowboys, farmers all using F250s pulling big trailers all the time.


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Agreed with all of this 100%. Nice to see some common sense and not trying to scare people away from a great past time with boogeyman weight ticket stories and fear of being sued.


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[Higgy]

I know its not along the lines of hitches and trucks but the one thing i wished i had thought about when i switched from a tow behind to a fifth wheel is to remember about twist. I hadnt really had to think about it before or even seen it mentioned anywhere and its common sense really. I was driving round a tight corner and down a hill and the trailer wheels were cutting the corner over the grass which was raised a bit. I can here all the fifth wheel guys saying ouch right now as they know whats coming. I was watching the inside corner as you do while not noticing the other side dipping. Lets just say, i was lucky the box only touched the underside of the trailer because it could have been a lot worse. It was a lesson i wished i had read about rather than finding out for myself
At the dealership when i traded it in again for the TT i have now i told them about the small dent there and he said dont worry, its a common repair for them. Obviously happens a lot. Like i say, its common sense but sometimes when people are behind you and around you, things tend to get rushed a little and thats when the mistakes happen. Watch for that one is my little bit of input
Happy travels

[suzhou]

Want to make sure I am following you. The other side of the trailer dipped enough to hit the side of your bed box and dented the trailer? Does it take a serious dip to cause or is an easy thing to do?

[Higgy]

Originally Posted by suzhou

Want to make sure I am following you. The other side of the trailer dipped enough to hit the side of your bed box and dented the trailer? Does it take a serious dip to cause or is an easy thing to do?

It honestly wasnt that bad (or i didnt think it was) which was why it didnt trigger for me. There is only six inches between most trailers and the box so not a huge amount of play there. I cant say it was ever an issue again after that as i was careful not to get into that situation again. It was a combination of the truck dipping down the hill on the level and the inside of the trailer lifting independently much further behind at a different angle. The corner of the box touched the underside.

[Archie]

Originally Posted by sobuck1

Just got my F 250 last month, took our 28.5 RSTS to Smokey Mts.

2017 Ford F250 XLT 6.2 gasser with 430 gears. 4X2 did great.

Payload is 3652

WOW ! That is a great payload ! Is that the regular cab ?

[Archie]

Originally Posted by Larry Mac

Is it 4" higher with 20" tires?

That was the dimension quoted on a road test article- I'm assuming it was 20'"

[vcbice]

we run a 35ft (29.5bhok) with a dodge 2500 diesel.

We are right at max load (gvwr) but under axle weight. I put overloads on it and makes for a nice ride.

I did have to redo our load in the trailer to gef the pin wt lower. It started out at 2100lb. Now is 1800lb.

[suzhou]

So my net from this thread and others is that there are minimal structural differences (dual rear tires notwithstanding) between the 250 and 350 and that the 250 is rated differently for vehicle registration purposes. If so then makes me feel better. Still don't want a 350 for day to day driving but explains why so many folks haul huge rigs with a 250 just fine and that I'm likely much more within the safe zone for towing than the door sticker implies.

[Hoppy220]

Not sure if it's still the case, but my 2005 the rear axle weight is determined by the smaller tires (3500 came from the Factory with larger weight rated tires) so make sure you don't overload the tire rating and enjoy your new rig.

[sobuck1]

Originally Posted by Archie

WOW ! That is a great payload ! Is that the regular cab ?

2WD Extended Cab 250 XLT

[suzhou]

This is really difficult to pin down for a decision for me. I know I'm being a bit over analytical but - I test drove the 6.2L F250 gas version today. Drives fine but the difference in torque and HP between it and the diesel is noticeable. After talking to the Ford dealer and reading what some of you have posted here I do believe the 250 and 350 have the same structure underneath. An extra spring perhaps and dual tires of course. Do I ignore the door sticker on the 250 diesel and go over load cap by about 500lbs assuming the door sticker is under stated or do I get the gas model and be within specs on the door sticker and give up the torque and HP? That 10,000lb GVWR thing is very puzzling in terms of does it really limit the load cap or is it just a truck rating move by Ford. I don't know for sure. I'm not worried about a wreck and getting sued. That's such a low risk that I'm not factoring that into the decision. As I just told my wife - if the door sticker of the 250 diesel was right at max load for us I wouldn't hesitate. I just hate to start out with a truck that has a 1,900 load max with a trailer with a dry weight pin of 2,000lbs.